Meta-stable detergent based foam cleaning system and method for gas turbine engines

ABSTRACT

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include a meta-stable detergent based foam generating device of a turbine cleaning system includes a manifold configured to receive a liquid detergent and an expansion gas, a gas supply source configured to store the expansion gas, and one or more aerators fluidly coupled with, and between, the gas supply source and the manifold. Each aerator of the one or more aerators comprises an orifice through which the expansion gas enters the manifold, and wherein the orifice of each aerator is sized to enable generation of a meta-stable detergent based foam having bubbles with bubble diameters within a range of 10 microns (3.9×10 −4  inches inches) and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches), having a half-life within a range of 5 minutes and 180 minutes, or a combination thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/967,043, entitled “META-STABLE DETERGENT BASED FOAM CLEANING SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES”, filed Dec. 11, 2015, which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a cleaning system andmethod for a turbine system or engine (e.g., an aircraft engine) and,more specifically, to a meta-stable detergent based foam cleaning systemand method.

Gas turbine engines (e.g., aircraft engines), or turbine systems,typically combust a mixture of carbonaceous fuel and compressed oxidantto generate high temperature, high pressure combustion gases. Thecombustion gases drive a turbine, which is coupled via a shaft to acompressor. In some embodiments, the shaft may also be coupled to anelectrical generator. Accordingly, as the combustion gases drive theturbine and corresponding shaft into rotation, the shaft outputs powerto the electrical generator. In aircraft engines, the combustion gasesmay pass through the turbine and through a nozzle, causing that theexhaust gas exiting the nozzle produces thrust.

Unfortunately, turbine systems are generally susceptible to deposits orcontaminants, such as dust in particular, which may reduce efficiencyand/or effectiveness of the turbine system. Generally, the deposits andcontaminants may be formed or may gather in any component of the gasturbine engine, including but not limited to the compressor, thecombustor or combustion chamber, and the turbine. Unfortunately,cleaning systems and methods may be unnecessarily cumbersome andlengthy, respectively, often requiring at least partial disassembly ofthe gas turbine engine. Additionally or alternatively, cleaning systemsand methods may be inadequate to fully remove the deposits orcontaminants (e.g., dust) within the gas turbine engine and/or mayrequire lengthy cleaning processes. Accordingly, improved cleaningsystems and methods are needed for gas turbine engines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a meta-stable detergent based foam generating deviceof a turbine cleaning system includes a manifold configured to receive aliquid detergent and an expansion gas, a gas supply source configured tostore the expansion gas, and one or more aerators fluidly coupled with,and between, the gas supply source and the manifold. Each aerator of theone or more aerators comprises an orifice through which the expansiongas enters the manifold, and wherein the orifice of each aerator issized to enable generation of a meta-stable detergent based foam havingbubbles with bubble diameters within a range of 10 microns (3.9×10⁻⁴inches inches) and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches), having a half-life withina range of 5 minutes and 3 hours (180 minutes), or a combinationthereof.

In a second embodiment, a method of cleaning an engine includesdelivering a meta-stable detergent based foam to the engine, soaking theengine with the meta-stable detergent based foam until the meta-stabledetergent based foam decomposes, and rinsing the engine to remove thedecomposed meta-stable detergent based foam.

In a third embodiment, a meta-stable detergent based turbine enginecleaning apparatus includes one or more mixing chambers configured toreceive a detergent and a gas. The cleaning apparatus also includes adetergent supply source fluidly coupled with one or more mixing chambersand configured to deliver the detergent to the one or more mixingchambers, and a gas supply source fluidly coupled with one or moreaerators. The gas supply source is configured to deliver the gas throughthe one or more aerators to the one or more mixing chambers such thatthe one or more aerators causes the gas to mix with the detergent withinthe one or more mixing chambers to generate a meta-stable detergentbased foam. The cleaning apparatus also includes one or more foamoutlets fluidly coupled with the one or more mixing chambers, configuredto receive the meta-stable detergent based foam from the one or moremixing chambers, and configured to deliver the meta-stable detergentbased from the one or more mixing chambers to a turbine engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment of a turbinesystem and a cleaning system, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment of anaircraft gas turbine system and a cleaning system, in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment of acleaning volume or fluid passageway of the turbine system of FIG. 2, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment of ameta-stable detergent based foam generating system for cleaning theturbine system of FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of generating ameta-stable detergent based foam for a gas turbine cleaning system, inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of cleaning aturbine system, via a cleaning system, with a meta-stable detergentbased foam, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to meta-stable detergent based foamcleaning system for a gas turbine system (e.g., a gas turbine engine,such as an aircraft engine). The cleaning system includes a foamingnozzle having a foam chamber that receives a detergent (e.g., a liquidbased detergent). The cleaning system also includes multiple aerators influid communication with the foam chamber of the foaming nozzle. Anaerating gas (e.g., air) is routed through the aerators and into thefoam chamber to aerate the detergent. In some embodiments, a surfactantand/or additives may also be routed to the foam chamber of the foamingnozzle.

As the aerating gas aerates the detergent (e.g., liquid detergent),foaming occurs. Specifically, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure, a meta-stable detergent based foam is generatedwithin the foam chamber. The term “meta-stable detergent based foam” asused herein relates to a foam having particular characteristics,including at least one of a desired half-life and a desired bubblediameter of the bubbles of the meta-stable detergent based foam. Thedesired half-life and/or the desired bubble diameter may be enabled byconfiguration of components of the cleaning system, such as a size ofthe orifices of the aerators through which the aerating gas is routed,the type, amount, pressure, or flow rate of the detergent used, thetype, amount, pressure, or flow rate of the aerating gas used, theaddition of surfactants and/or additives, and other factors described indetail below with reference to the figures. It should also be notedthat, in general, the “meta-stable detergent based foam” in accordancewith the present disclosure may fully collapse (e.g., back to the volumeof the materials used to generate the foam prior to generation of thefoam) within 3 hours of the time the foam is generated, or in someembodiments within 5 hours of the time the foam is generated.

In accordance with the present disclosure, “meta-stable detergent basedfoam” refers to a foam having a half-life of between 5 minutes and 180minutes (3 hours) and/or having bubbles with a bubble diameter ofbetween 10 microns (3.9×10⁻⁴ inches inches) and 5 millimeters (0.2inches). However, depending on the embodiment in accordance with thepresent disclosure, the foam generating apparatus, as described indetail below, may be configured to generate the meta-stable detergentbased foam such that the bubble diameters are between 20 microns(7.9×10⁻⁴ inches) and 4 millimeters (0.2 inches), between 30 microns(1.2×10⁻³ inches) and 3 millimeters (0.1 inches), between 40 microns(1.6×10⁻³ inches) and 2 millimeters (7.8×10⁻² inches), or between 50microns (1.2×10⁻³ inches) and 1 millimeter (3.9×10⁻² inches). Further,depending on the embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure,the foam generating apparatus, as described in detail below, may beconfigured to generate the meta-stable detergent based foam such thatthe half-life is between 10 minutes and 60 minutes, 15 minutes and 50minutes, or 20 minutes and 40 minutes.

In general, “half-life” in accordance with the present disclosure refersto the amount of time it takes the meta-stable detergent based foam tocollapse to half of the foam's initial volume after generation of thefoam. Other foam characteristics, which may be related to half-life,bubble size, or both, include foam quality (e.g., the ratio of gasvolume to total volume of the foam), and foam viscosity. In general, themeta-stable detergent based foam includes a foam quality of 85 percentor greater. Further, the meta-stable detergent based foam may include afoam viscosity of between 0.5 centipoise and 100 centipoise.

The characteristics of the “meta-stable detergent based foam” usedherein enable desired cleaning characteristics of the disclosed cleaningsystem and method. For example, after the meta-stable detergent basedfoam is generated, the meta-stable detergent based foam is delivered toone or more locations of the gas turbine system. The bubble diameter mayensure that the meta-stable detergent based foam is deliverable to, andthrough, each of the one or more locations of the gas turbine system,and through an inner fluid passageway or volume of the gas turbineengine. For example, the bubble diameters may be sized such that thebubbles are capable of flowing through small passageways associated withthe cleaning system, the passageway from the cleaning system to theturbine system, and within the turbine system (e.g., within recesses andpassageways thereof). In other words, the bubble diameters may be sized,in accordance with the present disclosure, such that the bubbles do notcollapse (e.g., decay, decompose, etc.) prior to cleaning of the turbinesystem.

The half-life may ensure that the meta-stable detergent based foamremains stable for a desired soaking period of time (e.g., a desiredamount of time needed to clean the turbine system). The foam quality mayreduce an amount of detergent needed to clean the turbine system. Thefoam viscosity may ensure, as described above, that the meta-stabledetergent based foam is deliverable to, and through, each of the one ormore locations of the gas turbine system, and through an inner fluidpassageway or volume of the gas turbine engine.

After routing (e.g., blowing, pumping, etc.) the meta-stable detergentbased foam to the turbine system, the meta-stable detergent based foamsoaks the turbine system to remove deposits or other contaminants withinthe turbine system. As the soaking period of time approaches thehalf-life of the meta-stable detergent based foam, the foam may collapse(e.g., decompose), thereby removing the deposits and other contaminantsfrom surfaces of the gas turbine engine. A rinsing agent (e.g., water,or additional foam) may be routed through the fluid passageway havingthe collapsed foam to rinse the collapsed foam anddepositions/contaminants from the fluid passageway. The rinsing agent(e.g., water, or additional foam) may be provided via hoses that routethe rinsing agent to the same one or more locations of the gas turbineengine through which the meta-stable detergent based foam is routed intothe turbine system. Indeed, in some embodiments, the same routingmechanisms utilized to route the meta-stable detergent based foam intothe gas turbine system may be utilized to route the rinsing agents,which may be additional foam, water, or some other rinsing agent(s),into the gas turbine system.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a turbinesystem 10 and a cleaning system 11 (shown in greater detail in FIG. 3)configured to clean the turbine system 10. The turbine system 10includes a fuel injector 12, a fuel supply 14, a combustor 16, and aturbine 18. As illustrated, the fuel supply 14 routes a liquid fueland/or gas fuel, such as natural gas, to the gas turbine system 10through the fuel injector 12 and into the combustor 16. As discussedbelow, the fuel injector 12 is configured to inject and mix the fuelwith compressed air. The combustor 16 ignites and combusts the fuel-airmixture, and then passes hot pressurized exhaust gas into the turbine18. As will be appreciated, the turbine 18 includes one or more statorshaving fixed vanes or blades, and one or more rotors having blades whichrotate relative to the stators. The exhaust gas passes through theturbine rotor blades, thereby driving the turbine rotor to rotate.Coupling between the turbine rotor and a shaft 19 will cause therotation of the shaft 19, which is also coupled to several componentsthroughout the gas turbine system 10, as illustrated. Eventually, theexhaust of the combustion process may exit the gas turbine system 10 viaan exhaust outlet 20. In some embodiments, the gas turbine system 10 maybe a gas turbine system of an aircraft, in which the exhaust outlet 20may be a nozzle through which the exhaust gases are accelerated.Acceleration of the exhaust gases through the exhaust outlet 20 (e.g.,the nozzle) may provide thrust to the aircraft. As described below, theshaft 19 (e.g., in an aircraft gas turbine system 10) may be coupled toa propeller, which may provide thrust to the aircraft in addition to, orin place of, the exhaust gases accelerated through the exhaust outlet 20(e.g., the nozzle).

A compressor 22 includes blades rigidly mounted to a rotor which isdriven to rotate by the shaft 19. As air passes through the rotatingblades, air pressure increases, thereby providing the combustor 16 withsufficient air for proper combustion. The compressor 22 may intake airto the gas turbine system 10 via an air intake 24. Further, the shaft 19may be coupled to a load 26, which may be powered via rotation of theshaft 19. As will be appreciated, the load 26 may be any suitable devicethat may use the power of the rotational output of the gas turbinesystem 10, such as a power generation plant or an external mechanicalload. For example, the load 26 may include an electrical generator, apropeller of an airplane as previously described, and so forth. The airintake 24 draws air 30 into the gas turbine system 10 via a suitablemechanism, such as a cold air intake. The air 30 then flows throughblades of the compressor 22, which provides compressed air 32 to thecombustor 16. In particular, the fuel injector 12 may inject thecompressed air 32 and fuel 14, as a fuel-air mixture 34, into thecombustor 16. Alternatively, the compressed air 32 and fuel 14 may beinjected directly into the combustor for mixing and combustion.

The turbine system 10 may be susceptible to gathering of deposits orcontaminants, namely dust, within components of the turbine system 10.Accordingly, as illustrated, the turbine system 10 includes the cleaningsystem 11 fluidly coupled to at least one component of the turbinesystem 10, namely, the air intake(s) 24, the compressor 22, the fuelinjector(s) 12, the combustor(s) 16, the turbine 18, and/or the exhaustoutlet 20. In some embodiments, the cleaning system 11 may be physicallycoupled to only one component or one group of components of the gasturbine system 10, such as to the air intake or intakes 24, or to thecompressor 22. For example, although the components of the turbinesystem 10 are shown separate from one another in the illustratedembodiment, the components may be integral with each other or coupledtogether such that a fluid passageway 35 extends through inner portionsof all the components. The fluid passageway 35 may be substantiallycontinuous through the components and/or may be at least partiallysealed from an environment 33 outside the gas turbine system 10.Although the fluid passageway 35 is shown on only a bottom portion ofthe illustrated gas turbine system 10, the fluid passageway 35 may be anannular passageway extending in an annular direction 37 about alongitudinal direction 39 (or axis) of the gas turbine system 10. Thecleaning system 11 may be physically coupled to one of the components(e.g., a first of the components, such as the air intake[s] 24 or thecompressor 22) at an inlet 36, such that the cleaning system 11 isfluidly coupled to the fluid passageway 35 at the inlet 36. It should benoted that, in some embodiments, the cleaning system 11 may include adelivery system or manifold that is coupled to a number of inlets to thegas turbine system 10 (e.g., an engine inlet). For example, the deliverysystem or manifold of the cleaning system 11 may deliver cleaning agents(e.g., a meta-stable detergent based foam), as described below, toinlets of the gas turbine system 10 (e.g., engine inlets) and to otherinlets that are also used for borescope injection, as fuel injectionnozzles, for igniter plugs, or any other suitable inlets. Further, byway of introducing the meta-stable detergent based foam to the fluidpassageway 35 through one or more inlets to the fluid passageway 35(e.g., through borescope inspection ports, through igniter plug inlets,through fuel nozzles, etc.) the meta-stable detergent based foam maypass over compressor blades, compressor vanes, through the compressor,through and/or outside of the turbine, and through cooling circuits ofthe turbine system 10.

The cleaning system 11 in FIG. 1 is configured to generate, and provideto the component(s) of the gas turbine system 10, a meta-stabledetergent based foam that loosens, soaks, absorbs, and/or cleans thedeposits or contaminants, namely dust, within the components of the gasturbine system 10. The cleaning system 11 may also include componentsconfigured to rinse the gas turbine system 10 after the meta-stabledetergent based foam soaks the insides of the components of the gasturbine system 10 for a defined period of time. As will be appreciatedin light of the discussion below, components of the cleaning system 11may be configured to generate a meta-stable detergent based foam havingparticular characteristics that enable desired cleaning effects of theturbine 18. For example, the cleaning system 11 may generate and provideto the gas turbine system 10 a meta-stable detergent based foam having adesired half-life, a desired bubble size, or both, thereby causing themeta-stable detergent based foam to soak the gas turbine system 10 for adesired period of time and with a desired effectiveness, as describedbelow. Other foam characteristics, which may be related to half-life,bubble size, or both, include foam quality (e.g., the ratio of gasvolume to total volume), and foam viscosity. In general, the cleaningsystem 11 is configured to enable a foam quality of 85 percent orgreater. In some embodiments, the cleaning system 11 is configured toenable a foam quality of approximately 95 percent or greater. Thecleaning system 11 is also configured to enable a foam viscosity ofbetween 0.5 centipoise and 100 centipoise.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment ofthe cleaning system 11 and an aircraft gas turbine engine 40 (e.g.,aeroderivative gas turbine engine) that includes a fan assembly 41 and acore engine 42 including a high pressure compressor 43, a combustor 44,a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 45, and a low-pressure turbine (LPT) 46.The illustrated aircraft gas turbine engine 40 may be an example of thegas turbine engine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. In the illustratedembodiment, the fan assembly 41 of the gas turbine engine 40 (e.g.,aircraft gas turbine engine) includes an array of fan blades 47 thatextend radially outward from a rotor disk 48. The gas turbine engine 40has an intake side (e.g., proximate the fan assembly 41) and an exhaustside (e.g., proximate the LPT 46). The fan assembly 41 and the LPT 46are coupled by a low-speed rotor shaft 49, and the high pressurecompressor 43 and the HPT 45 are coupled by a high-speed rotor shaft 51.The gas turbine engine 40 may be any type of gas or combustion turbineaircraft engine including, but not limited to, turbofan, turbojet,turboprop, turboshaft engines as well as geared turbine engines such asgeared turbofans, un-ducted fans and open rotor configurations.Alternatively, the gas turbine engine 40 may be any time of gas orcombustion turbine engine, including, but not limited to, land-based gasturbine engines in simply cycle, combined cycle, cogeneration, marineand industrial applications.

Generally, in operation, air flows axially through the fan assembly 41,in a direction that is substantially parallel to a centerline 53 thatextends through the gas turbine engine 40, and compressed air issupplied to the high pressure compressor 43. The highly compressed airis delivered to the combustor 44. Combustion gas flow (not shown) fromthe combustor 44 drives the turbines 45 and 46. The HPT 45 drives thecompressor 43 by way of the shaft 51, and the LPT 46 drives the fanassembly 41 by way of the shaft 49. Moreover, in operation, foreignmaterial, such as mineral dust, is ingested by the gas turbine engine 40along with the air, and the foreign material accumulates on surfacestherein.

As shown, the cleaning system 11 supplies the cleaning agent (e.g., themeta-stable detergent based foam) to a number of inlets to the gasturbine engine 40 (e.g., to the fluid passageway 35 thereof). An exampleof an embodiment of the fluid passageway 35 extending continuouslythrough various components of the gas turbine engine 40 of FIG. 2 (e.g.,through at least the compressor 43, the combustor 44, and the turbinestages 44, 45) is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaningsystem 11 may inject or enable flow of the meta-stable detergent basedfoam into the fluid passageway 35 along multiple locations of the gasturbine engine 40. The inlets to the fluid passageway 35 may includeinlets used for other purposes, such as inlets for borescopeinspections, as inlets for fuel manifold nozzles. It should also benoted that the cleaning system 11 may be utilized for cleaning the fluidpassageway 35 of any gas turbine engine 40 (e.g., including the turbinesystem 10 of FIG. 1) in accordance with presently described embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment ofthe cleaning system 11 for cleaning the gas turbine system 10 and/or theaircraft gas turbine engine 40 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In theillustrated embodiment, the cleaning system 11 includes a foamgenerating manifold 50 having a foaming nozzle 52 and an aerating gasmanifold 54. The foaming nozzle 52 includes a foam chamber 56 (e.g.,reservoir or mixing chamber) within the foaming nozzle 52 and multipleaerators 58 fluidly coupled with the foam chamber 56. The foam chamber56 is also fluidly coupled with a detergent source 60 that suppliesdetergent (e.g., liquid detergent) to the foam chamber 56.

The detergent may, for example, be citric acid based. In one embodiment,the detergent may include the following formulation: 0.21 weight percentcitric acid, 0.21 weight percent glycolic acid, 0.14 weight percentisopropylamine sulphonate, 0.07 weight percent alcohol ethoxylate, and0.07 weight percent triethanol amine, and the balance of the cleaningsolution is water. The total amount of active agents in the final regantmay be 0.7 weight percent. Sodium lauriminodipropionate, as a corrosioninhibitor, commercially available as BASOCOR®, may be added at a levelof 0.03 weight percent. The detergent may be supplemented with anorganic base, Imidazole, with the formula (CN)₂N(NH)CH in thecrystalline form added by weight to titrate to a final pH of 5.5. Itshould be noted that many other suitable detergents may be used inaccordance with present embodiments, and that the above describedembodiment describes only one possible solution.

The citric acid based detergent described above may be used to targettypes of dust that accumulate within components of the turbine system 10or 40, but without stripping away materials of the components of theturbine system 10 or 40. For example, the dust may be a “mineral dust,”or naturally occurring granular material that includes particles ofvarious rocks and minerals. For example, the mineral dust may be capableof becoming airborne at sub-38 microns in size, and accumulate in theturbine engine (e.g., 10 or 40) during taxi, take-off, climb, cruise,landing, as well as when the turbine engine (e.g., 10 or 40) is not inoperation. The elemental composition and phases within the accumulatedmineral dust varies based on a location of the mineral dust withinsections of the turbine engine (e.g., 10 or 40), and/or the operationalenvironment (e.g., including geographical location of use) of theturbine engine (e.g., 10 or 40). For example, increased temperatures inthe high pressure turbine section caused by combustion result inincreased temperatures on surfaces of the components therein. As such,mineral dust on the surfaces thermally react to form CMAS-based reactionproducts (e.g., [(Ca,Na).sub.2(Al,Mg,Fe.sub.2+)(Al,Si)SiO.sub 0.7]), andsubsequent layers of mineral dust accumulate on the surface of thereaction products.

The cleaning system 11 described herein generates the meta-stabledetergent based foam with a cleaning solution that facilitates removingthe mineral dust (and similar dusts) described above. For example, thecleaning system 11 targets oxide-based, chloride-based, sulfate-based,and carbon-based constituents of the CMAS-based reaction products,interstitial cement, and the subsequent layers of accumulated mineraldust from the turbine components. More specifically, the cleaningsolution includes a reagent composition that selectively dissolves theconstituents of the foreign material in the internal passages of theturbine engine.

As previously described, the reagent composition may include thefollowing formulation: 0.21 weight percent citric acid, 0.21 weightpercent glycolic acid, 0.14 weight percent isopropylamine sulphonate,0.07 weight percent alcohol ethoxylate, and 0.07 weight percenttriethanol amine, and the balance of the cleaning solution is water. Thetotal amount of active agents in the final regant may be 0.7 weightpercent. Sodium lauriminodipropionate, as a corrosion inhibitor,commercially available as BASOCOR®, may be added at a level of 0.03weight percent. The detergent may be supplemented with an organic base,Imidazole, with the formula (CN)₂N(NH)CH in the crystalline form addedby weight to titrate to a final pH of 5.5.

Continuing with the illustrated cleaning system 11, a pump 62 disposedbetween the detergent source 60 and the foaming nozzle 52 may pump thedetergent from the detergent source 60 to the foam chamber 56 within thefoaming nozzle 52. As (or after) the foam chamber 56 receives thedetergent, the aerating gas manifold 54 supplies an aerating gas (e.g.,air, hydrocarbons, nitric oxide, carbon dioxide, or other gases) to theaerators 58, whereby the aerators 58 aerate the detergent via theaerating gas. More specifically, the aerating gas manifold 54 mayreceive the aerating gas from an aerating gas source 64 that stores theaerating gas in a compressed state (e.g., at pressures of between 2 and1000 pounds per square inch [psi]).

As the aerating gas is supplied to the foam chamber 56 through theaerators 58, the aerating gas causes the detergent (e.g., supplied tothe foam chamber 56 via the detergent source 60 and detergent pump 62)to expand or bubble. The bubbles are formed such that walls of thebubbles are closed and contain (or “carry”) a portion of the detergent.The detergent may also be contained (or “carried”) between bubbles ofthe meta-stable detergent based foam.

In some embodiments, a surfactant is included in (e.g., delivered to)the foam chamber 56 to enhance formation and/or effectiveness of themeta-stable detergent based foam. For example, as shown, a surfactantsource 66 is fluidly coupled with the detergent source 60. Thus, thesurfactant source 66 supplies the detergent source 60 with thesurfactant. In other embodiments, the detergent source 60 may store thedetergent and the surfactant without a separate surfactant source 66.Further, in some embodiments, the surfactant may be injected or routedinto the foam chamber 56 separately from the detergent. In general, thesurfactant may be included to stabilize the foam generated by thecleaning system 11, specifically by reducing a surface tension of theliquid based detergent. In other words, certain detergents may benefitfrom surfactants because, without the surfactants, the detergent'ssurface tension may be too high for foaming to occur or for foaminghaving desired characteristics to occur. Accordingly, surfactants may beutilized to reduce the surface tension. However, in some embodiments,the detergent may already include a surface tension ideal for foaming toachieve the ideal foam characteristics.

Additives may also be included with, or separately from, thesurfactants. For example, additives such as secondary alcoholethoxylates or glycol may be delivered to the foam chamber 56 with thedetergent, surfactant, or both, or separately from the detergent,surfactant, or both. The additives may act as a stiffening agent topromote creation of the bubbles. It is generally desirable to utilizeorganic wall thickening agents, such that they can be easily removedfrom the engine and in order to minimize inorganic residue within theturbine. Other additives may also be used, such as gelatin, carboxamers,or other gel-based species to increase an ability of the meta-stabledetergent based foam to stick to components within the turbine system.

In addition to the system components set forth above, the cleaningsystem 11 may include control components configured to enable formationof the foam having the ideal characteristics described above (e.g.,ideal half-life, ideal bubble diameter, etc.). For example, pressureregulators 68 may be disposed between the aerators 58 and the aeratinggas manifold 54. The pressure regulators 68 may be configured toregulate a pressure, amount, or flow rate of the aerating gas deliveredto each aerator 58. The pressure regulators 68 may be communicativelycoupled with a controller 70 having a processor 72 and a memory 74.Instructions may be stored on the controller's 70 memory 74, and theinstructions, when executed by the processor 72, may cause thecontroller 70 to instruct the pressure regulators 68 and othercomponents of the cleaning system 11 to operate in certain ways.

For example, a pressure sensor 76 disposed on the aerating gas manifold54 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 70. Alternatively,one pressure sensor 76 for each pressure regulator 68 may be disposed on(or in) the fluid passageways extending between the aerating gasmanifold 54 and the aerators 58. The controller 70 may receive pressuremeasurements from the one or more pressure sensors 76 and, based on thepressure measurements, may instruct the pressure regulators 68 to open acertain extent or close a certain extent to change a pressure, amount,or flow rate of the aerating gas supplied to one or more of the aerators58.

Additionally or alternatively, another pressure regulator 80 may bedisposed upstream of the aerating gas manifold 54 (e.g., between theaerating gas manifold 54 and the aerating gas source 64). The pressureregulator 80 is communicatively coupled with the controller 70, and maybe instructed by the controller 70 to open a certain extent or close acertain extent to regulate a pressure, amount, or flow rate of theaerating gas delivered to the aerating gas manifold 54. For example, aspreviously described, the aerating gas may be stored in a compressedstate in the aerating gas source 64. The pressure regulator 80 may beinstructed to open such that the compressed aerating gas is deliveredfrom the aerating gas source 64 to the aerating gas manifold 54. Forexample, the pressure regulator 80 may enable the aerating gas to bedelivered from the aerating gas source 64 to the aerating gas manifold54 at a flow rate of between 0.1 and 500 standard cubic feet per hour(SCFH). The pressure regulator 80 may be instructed, by the controller70, to enable a particular flow rate based, in accordance with thedescription below, on a number of aerating gas manifolds 54 disposeddownstream of the pressure regulator 80. For example, in certainembodiments, multiple aerating gas manifolds 54 may be disposeddownstream of the aerating gas source 64. In such embodiments, theaerating gas source 64 may feed a larger amount of aerating gas throughthe pressure regulator 80, such that each of the multiple aerating gasmanifolds 54 receives sufficient aerating gas. Additionally oralternatively, the above described pressure regulators 68 (as instructedby the controller 70) may also be configured to enable a flow rate ofbetween 0.1 and 500 SCFH.

Additionally or alternatively, a shut off valve 82 may be disposedbetween, and in fluid communication with, the aerating gas source 64 andthe aerating gas manifold 54. The shut off valve 82 in the illustratedembodiment is communicatively coupled with the controller 70, and may beinstructed by the controller 70 to block fluid flow of the aerating gasto the aerating gas manifold 54. Additionally or alternatively, the pump62 described above may be communicatively coupled to the controller 70,whereby the controller 70 instructs the pump 62 to pump the detergentfrom the detergent source 60 during certain operating conditions (e.g.,when the foaming nozzle 52 is being operated to generate the foam). Thepump 62 may provide a desired amount (or pressure) of the detergent tothe foam chamber 56 to enable generation of the meta-stable detergentbased foam.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, only one foaming nozzle 52 andone aerating gas manifold 54 is disposed downstream of the detergentsource 60 and the aerating gas source 64, respectively. However, inanother embodiment, the detergent source 60 and the aerating gas source64 may be fluidly coupled with multiple foaming nozzles 52 and aeratinggas manifolds 54, respectively. For example, as shown, a detergent flowpath 84 extends between the pump 62 and the foaming nozzle 52. Thedetergent flow path 84 in the illustrated embodiment may be a tubehaving a width or diameter 85 of, for example, one inch or less (e.g., ¾inch [19 millimeters], ½ inch [12.7 millimeters], ¼ inch [6.4millimeters]). However, in another embodiment, a manifold may bedisposed within the detergent flow path 82, where the manifold fluidlycouples with multiple foaming nozzles 52. Further, as shown, an aeratinggas flow path 86 extends between the pressure regulator 80 and theaerating gas manifold 54. The aerating gas flow path 86 in theillustrated embodiment may be a tube having a width or diameter 87 of,for example, one inch or less (e.g., ¾ inch [19 millimeters], ½ inch[12.7 millimeters], ¼ inch [6.4 millimeters]). However, in anotherembodiment, a manifold may be disposed within the aerating gas flow path86, where the manifold fluidly couples with multiple aerating gasmanifolds 54. Thus, the cleaning system 11 may encompass multiple foamgenerating manifolds 50 fluidly coupled with the same detergent source60 and aerating gas source 64, each foam generating manifold 50 havingone foaming nozzle 52 and one aerating gas manifold 54.

As previously described, in embodiments where the detergent source 60and the aerating gas source 64 supply detergent and aerating gas,respectively, to multiple foaming nozzles 52 and aerating gas manifolds54, respectively, the controller 70 may instruct the pump 62 and thepressure regulator 80 to supply more detergent and aerating gas.Further, the control enabled by the communication between the controller70 and the pressure regulator 80 may enable selective operation ofcertain foam generating manifolds 50. In other words, when multiple foamgenerating manifolds 50 are disposed downstream of the detergent source60 and the aerating gas source 64, certain of the multiple foamgenerating manifolds 50 may be selective operated, and the pump 62 andthe pressure regulator 80 may be controlled by the controller 70 tosupply appropriate amounts of detergent and aerating gas, respectively,based on the number of foam generating manifolds 50 in operation. By wayof non-limiting example, if one foam generating manifold 50 is beingoperated to clean an engine volume of 18 cubic feet (0.51 cubic meters),the detergent flow rate toward the foam chamber 56 may be less than 0.3liters per minute, less than 0.2 liters per minute, or less than 0.1liters per minute. The aerating gas flow rate through the pressureregulator 80 may then be less than 4 SCFH, less than 3 SCFH, or lessthan 2.5 SCFH. However, if for example twelve foam generating manifolds50 are being operated to clean an engine volume of 18 cubic feet (0.51cubic meters), the detergent flow rate toward the foam chamber 56 may beless than 3.6 liters per minute, less than 2.4 liters per minute, orless than 1.2 liters per minute. The aerating gas flow rate through thepressure regulator 80 may then be less than 48 SCFH, less than 36 SCFH,or less than 30 SCFH.

As previously described, the illustrated cleaning system 11 isconfigured to generate a meta-stable detergent based foam for cleaning aturbine system (e.g., the gas turbine system 10 or the aircraft gasturbine engine 40 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively). As the meta-stabledetergent based foam is generated in the foam chamber 56, themeta-stable detergent based foam is pushed or pulled through apassageway 96 (e.g., toward and into the turbine system 10 or 40) havinga cross-sectional width 97 (e.g., diameter) of one inch or less (e.g., ¾inch [19 millimeters], ⅝ inch [15.9 millimeters], ½ inch [12.7millimeters], ⅜ inch [9.5 millimeters], ¼ inch [6.4 millimeters]). Itshould be noted, however, that more than one passageway 96 may beincluded in a foam delivery system (e.g., foam delivery manifold), suchthat the meta-stable detergent based foam may be delivered to theturbine system 10 (e.g., of FIG. 1) or to the gas turbine engine 40(e.g., of FIG. 2) through more than one inlet to the turbine system 10or 40. For example, the meta-stable detergent based foam may be routedinto multiple inlets of the turbine system 10 or 40, where each inletmay also be used for other purposes (e.g., as inlets for borescopeinspections, as inlets for fuel manifold nozzles, etc.). Multipledelivery points may enable delivery of the meta-stable detergent basedfoam to a larger volume of the turbine system 10 or 40 (e.g., of FIG. 1or 2, and as shown in FIG. 3). In general, the meta-stable detergentbased foam is delivered into the turbine system 10 or 40 (e.g., of FIG.1 or 2) at approximately 90 degrees Celsius.

It should also be noted that the mechanism may which the meta-stabledetergent based foam is pulled, blown, or sucked through the turbinesystem 10 (or the turbine system 40) may include a blower, a fan, apump, or any other flow regulating mechanism (e.g., the pump 62) fluidlycoupled with the cleaning system 11 (e.g., with the passageway[s] 96)and/or the turbine system 10 or 40 (e.g., of FIG. 1 or 2). Accordingly,the flow regulating mechanism may regulate the flow of the meta-stabledetergent based foam, which may include pulsing of the meta-stabledetergent based foam. The pulsing by the flow regulating mechanism, asdescribed in detail below with reference to later figures, may cause themeta-stable detergent based foam to reach areas (e.g., recesses) of theturbine system 10 or the turbine system 40 (e.g., of FIGS. 1 and 2,respectively) that would otherwise not be reached or would otherwise bedifficult to reach.

As used herein, and as described above, the term “meta-stable detergentbased foam” relates to a detergent based foam (e.g., where foam means amass of fine bubbles) having a half-life within a range of 5 minutes and180 minutes (3 hours), having bubbles with bubble diameters within arange of 10 microns (3.9×10⁻⁴ inches inches) and 5 millimeters (0.2inches). However, depending on the embodiment in accordance with thepresent disclosure, the foam generating apparatus (e.g., of the cleaningsystem 11) may be configured to generate the meta-stable detergent basedfoam such that the bubble diameters are between 20 microns (7.9×10⁻⁴inches) and 4 millimeters (0.2 inches), between 30 microns (1.2×10⁻³inches) and 3 millimeters (0.1 inches), between 40 microns (1.6×10⁻³inches) and 2 millimeters (7.8×10⁻² inches), or between 50 microns(1.2×10⁻³ inches) and 1 millimeter (3.9×10⁻² inches). Further, dependingon the embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, the foamgenerating apparatus may be configured to generate the meta-stabledetergent based foam such that the half-life is between 10 minutes and60 minutes, 15 minutes and 50 minutes, or 20 minutes and 40 minutes.

The characteristics of the meta-stable detergent based foam (e.g., thehalf-life and/or the bubble diameter described above) enable themeta-stable detergent based foam to travel the turbine system and soakthe turbine system for a suitable or optimal period of time. Thecharacteristics (e.g., the half-life and/or the bubble diameterdescribed above), and the use of the foam in general, may reduce avolume of detergent needed to clean the turbine system. Thecharacteristics may also enable all of the components (e.g., that areintended to be cleaned) of the turbine system to be cleanedsubstantially simultaneously. As described in detail below, componentsof the cleaning system 11 may be configured to enable theabove-described characteristics (e.g., half-life, bubble diameter, foamquality, and/or foam viscosity) of the meta-stable detergent based foam,in accordance with the present disclosure.

For example, each aerator 58 may include a diameter 90 sized to enablethe characteristics of the meta-stable detergent based foam. Further, adistance 92 between adjacent aerators 58 may be sized to enable thecharacteristics of the meta-stable detergent based foam. It should benoted that the diameters 90 of the aerators 58 may all be equal or someor all of the diameters 90 may differ. Further, the distances 92 betweenthe adjacent aerators 58 may all be the same, or some or all of thedistances 92 may differ. Further still, a number of the aerators 58fluidly coupled to the foam chamber 56 of the foaming nozzle 52 may beconfigured to enable the characteristics of the meta-stable detergentbased foam. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more aerators 58 may beincluded. In the illustrated embodiment, three aerators 58 are used. Theaerators 58 may include diameters 90 between 0 and 1 inch (0 and 25.4millimeters), 0.25 and 0.75 inches (6.4 and 19 millimeters), or 0.4 and0.6 inches (10.2 and 15.2 millimeters). The distances 92 betweenadjacent aerators 58 (i.e., from a middle of one aerator 58 to a middleof an adjacent aerator 58) may be between 0 and 1 inch, 0.25 and 0.75inches, or 0.4 and 0.6 inches.

Other aspects of the cleaning system 11 may also be configured to enablethe characteristics of the meta-stable detergent based foam. Forexample, the pressure regulators 68, 80 may be operated (e.g., by thecontroller 90) to supply the aerating gas at a desired pressureconfigured to enable the characteristics of the meta-stable detergentbased foam. Further, the pump 62 may be operated (e.g., by thecontroller 90) to supply the detergent (and, in some embodiments,surfactant[s] and/or additive[s]) at a desired amount (or pressure).

After the meta-stable detergent based foam is generated, the meta-stabledetergent based foam is delivered to the turbine system. In oneimplementation, the meta-stable detergent based foam soaks the turbinesystem for the half-life of the meta-stable detergent based foam. Themeta-stable detergent based foam may then collapse (e.g., decomposes, orbecome unstable). As the meta-stable detergent based foam collapses, thecollapsed foam may take the deposits and other contaminants off innersurfaces of the turbine system 10. The collapsed foam and contaminantsmay then be rinsed from the fluid passageway 35 (e.g., of FIG. 3) by arinser 100 of the cleaning system 11. For example, the rinser 100 may beproximate to the passageway 100 through which the meta-stable detergentbased foam is transported to the fluid passageway 35 (e.g., of FIG. 3)of the turbine system. The rinser 100 may be fluidly coupled to arinsing source 102 which is configured to contain the rinsing agent(e.g., water).

A process flow diagram illustrating a method 110 of generating ameta-stable detergent based foam, via a cleaning system, is shown inFIG. 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the method 110 includes routing(block 112) a detergent (e.g., liquid based detergent) into a foamchamber of a foaming nozzle. In some embodiments, routing the detergentinto the foam chamber of the foaming nozzle may also include routing asurfactant, an additive, or both into the foam chamber. The surfactantand/or additive may be routed into the foam chamber together with thedetergent, or separately from the detergent. As previously described,the surfactant may be included to reduce a surface tension of thedetergent, thereby enabling formation of a meta-stable detergent basedfoam in accordance with the description below. The additive(s) may beincluded as a stiffening agent, to enhance stickness' of the meta-stabledetergent based foam, or both. Further, as previously described, a pumpmay be utilized to route the detergent, surfactant, and/or additive froma detergent source to the foam chamber. The same pump, or a differentpump or component, may be utilized to route the surfactant and/oradditive into the foam chamber, if the surfactant and/or additive isincluded.

The method 110 also includes routing (block 114) an aerating gas (e.g.,air) to a number of aerators fluidly coupled with the foam chamber ofthe foaming nozzle. For example, as previously described, the aeratinggas may be stored in a compressed state in an aerating gas source. Oneor more pressure regulators (e.g., valves) may be controllably operatedby a controller to enable the compressed aerating gas to be deliveredfrom the aerating gas source to the number of aerators, which maydisposed together within, as a part of, or fluidly coupled downstream ofan aerating gas manifold that distributes the aerating gas to each ofthe plurality of aerators. Further, additional pressure regulators(e.g., valves) may be disposed between the aerating gas manifold and thenumber of aerators (e.g., one regulator per aerator), such that thecontroller may controllably operate each of the additional pressureregulators (e.g., valves) to manipulate or cause a certain gas pressureof the aerating gas delivered to each aerator of the plurality ofaerators.

The method 110 also includes routing (block 116) the aerating gas (e.g.,air) through the plurality of aerators and into the foam chamber toaerate the detergent to generate a meta-stable detergent based foam. Forexample, each aerator may include a flow path through which the aeratinggas is routed, and an orifice disposed between the flow path and thefoam chamber. In other words, the orifice may be disposed within, ordirectly fluidly coupled with, the foam chamber. The orifice may besized to enable the aerating gas to be delivered to the foam chamber ata particular pressure, velocity, or mass flow rate. As previouslydescribed, the pressure, velocity, or mass flow rate of the aerating gasmay be controlled (e.g., by appropriately configuring the orifice size,by appropriately configuring the flow path size of the aerator, bycontrolling the pressure regulators of the system, etc.) to enableaeration of the detergent such that a meta-stable detergent based foamis formed, in accordance with the description of the meta-stabledetergent based foam above.

Other characteristics or components of the cleaning system may also beconfigured to enable the generation of the meta-stable detergent basedfoam. For example, the foam chamber may be sized and/or otherwiseconfigured to enable the generation of the meta-stable detergent basedfoam. The type of detergent (e.g., the type of liquid based detergent)may be selected to enable a chemical formulation that causes generationof the meta-stable detergent based foam. The amount or pressure ofdetergent may be included to enable generation of the meta-stabledetergent based foam. The type and/or amount or pressure of the additivemay be included to enable a chemical formulation that causes generationof the meta-stable detergent based foam. In general, the cleaning systemis configured to generate the meta-stable detergent based foam inaccordance with the method 110 described in FIG. 4, such that themeta-stable detergent based foam includes a half-life of between 5minutes and 180 minutes (3 hours), includes bubbles having bubblediameters between 10 microns (3.9×10⁻⁴ inches inches) and 5 millimeters(0.2 inches), or both. However, depending on the embodiment inaccordance with the present disclosure, the foam generating apparatus(e.g., of the cleaning system 11) may be configured to generate themeta-stable detergent based foam such that the bubble diameters arebetween 20 microns (7.9×10⁻⁴ inches) and 4 millimeters (0.2 inches),between 30 microns (1.2×10⁻³ inches) and 3 millimeters (0.1 inches),between 40 microns (1.6×10⁻³ inches) and 2 millimeters (7.8×10⁻²inches), or between 50 microns (1.2×10⁻³ inches) and 1 millimeter(3.9×10⁻² inches). Further, depending on the embodiment in accordancewith the present disclosure, the foam generating apparatus may beconfigured to generate the meta-stable detergent based foam such thatthe half-life is between 10 minutes and 60 minutes, 15 minutes and 50minutes, or 20 minutes and 40 minutes.

A process flow diagram illustrating a method 120 of cleaning a turbinesystem with a meta-stable detergent based foam, via a cleaning system,is shown in FIG. 5. For example, the method 120 includes generating themeta-stable detergent based foam. More specifically, to generate themeta-stable detergent based foam, the method 120 includes supplying(block 122) a detergent to a foaming chamber of a foam nozzle. Further,to generate the meta-stable detergent based foam, the method 120includes supplying (block 124) an aerating gas to a plurality ofaerators fluidly coupled with the foaming chamber, and aerating (block126) the detergent via the aerating gas injected into the foamingchamber through the plurality of aerators, in accordance with thedescription of the method 110 described in FIG. 4.

Continuing with the illustrated method 120, cleaning the turbine systemwith the meta-stable detergent based foam includes pumping or otherwiserouting (block 128) the meta-stable detergent based foam from thefoaming chamber to a fluid passageway of the turbine system. Aspreviously described, the fluid passageway may extend through multiplecomponents of the turbine system. Thus, the meta-stable detergent basedfoam may be routed to the multiple components of the turbine system. Forexample, the fluid passageway may extend through at least a compressor,a combustor, and a turbine of the turbine system. In some embodiments,the fluid passageway may also extend through an air intake of theturbine system, fuel injectors of the turbine system, and/or any othercomponent of the turbine system. Further, in some embodiments, the fluidpassageway may extend through only one component of the turbine system,such as the turbine.

In some embodiments, the routing (block 128) of the meta-stabledetergent based foam described above, to and through the fluidpassageway of the turbine system, may include pulsing or otherwiseregulating the flow of the meta-stable detergent based foam. In otherwords, a pump, blower, or some other flow mechanism (e.g., suctionmechanism) of the cleaning system may be utilized to pulse or regulatethe flow of the meta-stable detergent based foam to and through thefluid passageway. By pulsing or otherwise regulating the flow of themeta-stable detergent based foam through the fluid passageway, thecleaning system may enable improved reach of the meta-stable detergentbased foam. In other words, pulsing may cause the meta-stable detergentbased foam to reach areas of the turbine system that would otherwise bemore difficult (e.g., take more time) to reach. Further, in someembodiments, controlled suction may be applied (e.g., through inlets oroutlets of the turbine system) to the interior of the turbine system,causing selective flow of the meta-stable detergent based foam therein.

Further, in some embodiments, the routing (block 128) of the meta-stabledetergent based foam described above includes routing liquid tracerswithin the meta-stable detergent based foam. The liquid tracers may beadded to the detergent (e.g., prior to generation of the meta-stabledetergent based foam), or the liquid tracers may be added to themeta-stable detergent based foam during or after generation of themeta-stable detergent based foam. In general, the liquid tracers enabletracing of where the meta-stable detergent based foam travels within theturbine system. Other materials, conditions, or parameters, such astemperature (e.g., of the meta-stabled detergent based foam within theturbine system) may also be used to track locations of the meta-stabledetergent based foam during cleaning.

The method 120 also includes soaking (block 130) the turbine system withthe meta-stable detergent based foam. For example, the meta-stabledetergent based foam may soak the turbine system from within the fluidpassageway. The meta-stable detergent based foam may soak the turbinesystem for a soaking period of time. The soaking period of time may be afunction of, or related to, the half-life of the meta-stable detergentbased foam. Put differently, the half-life of the meta-stable detergentbased foam may be designed to correspond with a desired soaking periodof time of the method 120. In other words, the cleaning system may beconfigured to generate the meta-stable detergent based foam having theprescribed half-life described in detail above such that the meta-stabledetergent based foam soaks the turbine system for the soaking period oftime. As the meta-stable detergent based foam soaks the turbine system,the meta-stable detergent based foam may collapse as the soaking periodof time approaches and/or exceeds the half-life of the meta-stabledetergent based foam. In other words, the cleaning system may beconfigured to enable a particular half-life such that the half-lifecorresponds with the amount of time desired for cleaning (e.g., thesoaking period of time).

The method 120 of cleaning the turbine system also includes rinsing(block 134) the fluid passageway of the turbine system. For example, as(or after) the meta-stable detergent based foam collapses, the depositsand/or other contaminants within the turbine system may be absorbed andcarried away, by the collapsing (or collapsed) foam, from walls of theturbine system. A rinsing agent (e.g., water) may be routed through thefluid passageway to rinse the collapsed foam and the contaminants fromthe fluid passageway. The rinsing agent may be routed to the fluidpassageway via a nozzle, hose, or other component of the cleaning systemor via a nozzle, hose, or some other component separate from thecleaning system.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the method 120 includesrotating (block 132) the turbine system (or particular componentsthereof). Rotating the turbine system may be done while the meta-stabledetergent based foam is routed to and through the fluid passageway(e.g., such that the meta-stable detergent based foam is betterdistributed through the turbine system), which may cause the meta-stabledetergent based foam to reach areas of the turbine system that would nototherwise be reached, or that would otherwise be difficult (e.g., take alonger period of time) to reach. Additionally or alternatively, theturbine system may be rotated while the meta-stable detergent based foamsoaks the turbine system form within the fluid passageway (e.g., suchthat the meta-stable detergent based foam is better distributed throughthe turbine system). Additionally or alternatively, the turbine systemmay be rotated while the fluid passageway of the turbine system isrinsed (e.g., such that the collapsed foam and the contaminants arebetter removed from the fluid passageway).

In accordance with the present disclosure, the meta-stable detergentbased foam generated by the disclosed cleaning system includes thehalf-life of between 5 minutes and 180 minutes (3 hours) and bubbleswith the bubble diameter of between 10 microns (3.9×10⁻⁴ inches inches)and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches). The cleaning system is configured, inaccordance with the description above, to enable the above describedcharacteristics. The half-life and bubble diameter characteristics ofthe meta-stable detergent based foam enable certain technical effects,such as desired cleaning characteristics. For example, after themeta-stable detergent based foam is generated, the meta-stable detergentbased foam is delivered to one or more locations of the gas turbinesystem. The bubble diameter may ensure that the meta-stable detergentbased foam is deliverable to, and through, each of the one or morelocations of the gas turbine system, and through an inner fluidpassageway or volume of the gas turbine engine. The half-life may ensurethat the meta-stable detergent based foam remains stable for a desiredsoaking period of time (e.g., a desired amount of time needed to cleanthe turbine system), and then collapses after the desired soaking periodof time lapses (e.g., to reduce an amount of time needed to clean theturbine system), or begins to collapse as the desired soaking period oftime approaches. The foam quality may reduce an amount of detergentneeded to clean the turbine system. Other characteristics enabled by theconfiguration of the cleaning system, such as desired foam quality anddesired foam viscosity, may also be beneficial. The foam viscosity mayensure, as described above, that the meta-stable detergent based foam isdeliverable to, and through, each of the one or more locations of thegas turbine system, and through an inner fluid passageway or volume ofthe gas turbine engine.

This written description uses examples to disclose the presentdisclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any personskilled in the art to practice the present disclosure, including makingand using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the present disclosure is defined bythe claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilledin the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope ofthe claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from theliteral language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structuralelements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages ofthe claims.

1. A method of cleaning a turbine engine via a turbine cleaning system,comprising: routing a liquid detergent to a foam chamber of a foamingnozzle of the turbine cleaning system; routing an expansion gas to aplurality of aerators of the turbine cleaning system; and passing theexpansion gas through the plurality of aerators into the foam chamber togenerate a meta-stable detergent based foam having bubbles with bubblediameters within a range of 10 microns and 5 millimeters, having ahalf-life within a range of 5 minutes and 180 minutes, or a combinationthereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising passing the expansion gasthrough the plurality of aerators into the foam chamber to generate themeta-stable detergent based foam having a foam quality of 85 percent orgreater.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprising passing the expansion gasthrough the plurality of aerators into the foam chamber to generate themeta-stable detergent based foam having a foam viscosity of between 0.5centipoise and 100 centipoise.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprisingrouting liquid tracers to the foam chamber of the foaming nozzle.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, comprising: outputting the meta-stable detergentbased foam and the liquid tracers into a turbine engine component of theturbine engine; and tracing locations of the meta-stable detergent basedfoam within the turbine engine component via the liquid tracers.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein passing the expansion gas through theplurality of aerators comprises passing the expansion gas through aplurality of orifices corresponding to the plurality of aerators, eachorifice of the plurality of orifices having a diameter between 0.25 and0.75 inches.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein passing the expansion gasthrough the plurality of aerators comprises passing the expansion gasthrough adjacent aerators that are spaced apart from each other by oneinch or less.
 8. The method of claim 1, comprising outputting themeta-stable detergent based foam from the foaming nozzle via a foamoutlet disposed in or extending through a borescope inspection port of aturbine engine component of the turbine engine, an igniter plug of theturbine engine component, a fuel nozzle of the turbine engine component,or an engine inlet of the turbine engine component.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, comprising routing the expansion gas to a manifold fluidlycoupled to the plurality of aerators and configured to distribute theexpansion gas to each aerator of the plurality of aerators.
 10. A methodof cleaning a turbine engine via a turbine cleaning system, comprising:generating, in a foam chamber of a foaming nozzle, a meta-stabledetergent based foam from a liquid detergent, an expansion gas, andliquid tracers; outputting, via a foam outlet of or coupled to thefoaming nozzle, the meta-stable detergent based foam to a turbine enginecomponent of the turbine engine; cleaning the turbine engine componentvia the meta-stable detergent based foam; and tracing locations of themeta-stable detergent based foam within the turbine engine component viathe liquid tracers of the meta-stable detergent based foam.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein generating the meta-stable detergent basedfoam comprises generating bubbles having bubble diameters within a rangeof 10 microns and 5 millimeters, having a half-life within a range of 5minutes and 180 minutes, or a combination thereof.
 12. The method ofclaim 10, wherein generating the meta-stable detergent based foamcomprises generating a foam quality of 85 percent or greater, a foamviscosity between 0.5 centipoise and 100 centipoise, or a combinationthereof.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein generating the meta-stabledetergent based foam comprises: routing the liquid detergent to the foamchamber; routing the expansion gas to a plurality of aerators fluidlycoupled with the foam chamber; and passing the expansion gas through theplurality of aerators and into the foam chamber.
 14. The method of claim10, comprising routing the meta-stable detergent based foam through afoam outlet disposed in or extending through a borescope inspection portof the turbine engine component, an igniter plug of the turbine enginecomponent, a fuel nozzle of the turbine engine component, or an engineinlet of the turbine engine component.
 15. The method of claim 10,comprising routing the expansion gas to a manifold fluidly coupled tothe plurality of aerators and configured to distribute the expansion gasto each aerator of the plurality of aerators.
 16. A method of cleaning aturbine engine via a turbine cleaning system, comprising: routing aliquid detergent to a foam chamber of a foaming nozzle of the turbinecleaning system; routing an expansion gas to a plurality of aerators ofthe turbine cleaning system; passing the expansion gas through theplurality of aerators into the foam chamber to generate a meta-stabledetergent based foam; routing liquid tracers to the foam chamber;outputting the meta-stable detergent based foam and the liquid tracersfrom the foaming nozzle to a turbine engine component of the turbineengine such that the meta-stable detergent based foam cleans the turbineengine component; and tracing locations of the meta-stable detergentbased foam within the turbine engine component via the liquid tracers.17. The method of claim 16, wherein passing the expansion gas throughthe plurality of aerators into the foam chamber to generate themeta-stable detergent based foam comprises generating bubbles havingbubble diameters within a range of 10 microns and 5 millimeters, havinga half-life within a range of 5 minutes and 180 minutes, or acombination thereof.
 18. The method of claim 16, comprising generatingthe meta-stable detergent based foam such that the meta-stable detergentbased foam includes a foam quality of 85 percent or greater.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, wherein passing the expansion gas through theplurality of aerators comprises passing the expansion gas through aplurality of orifices corresponding to the plurality of aerators, eachorifice of the plurality of orifices having a diameter between 0.25 and0.75 inches.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein passing the expansiongas through the plurality of aerators comprises passing the expansiongas through adjacent aerators that are spaced apart from each other byone inch or less.